MIT unveils durable solar cells printed on paper

MIT unveils durable solar cells printed on paper: "We've been following MIT's progress on creating solar cell-coated paper since 2010, and we're excited to report the current findings of the project. What looks and feels like an ordinary sheet of paper with a fine layer of colored rectangles, is no ordinary piece of paper at all - once connected to a couple of wires, it instantly generates solar electricity. Additionally, the technology is almost as cheap and easy as printing a family snapshot from an inkjet printer. You can even fold it up, slip it in your pocket, then unfold it again for later use."

Synthetic kitty litter ingredient could have many other applications

Synthetic kitty litter ingredient could have many other applications: "Cat litter might not seem like a particularly exotic substance, but it contains a mineral known as sepiolite, which is actually rather remarkable. Mined from only a few sources worldwide, sepiolite is a type of clay that absorbs 2.5 times its weight in water - that's more absorbent than any other known mineral, or any manmade material."

e-Genius flies into the record books, averages 100 mph over 211 miles

e-Genius flies into the record books, averages 100 mph over 211 miles: "Just a couple of weeks after its maiden flight at the end of May, the e-Genius electric aircraft has now winged its way into the record books - managing to stay aloft for over two hours and maintain an average speed of 100 mph (160 kph). Its University of Stuttgart development team are now looking to improve on that performance, ahead of the 2011 Green Flight Challenge for which it was designed."

Motorola Photon 4G gets price and release date

Motorola Photon 4G gets price and release date: "When the Motorola Photon 4G debuts through Sprint later this month it will be Motorola's first WiMAX smartphone and Sprint's first international 4G smartphone that is capable of working on GSM networks around the world. Powered by a dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor with each core running at 1GHz, 1GB of RAM and with 16GB of built-in memory the device will come with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) pre-installed."

LG outs DX2000 glasses-free 3D display with webcam-based eye-tracking

LG outs DX2000 glasses-free 3D display with webcam-based eye-tracking: "Glasses-free 3D displays are getting larger with the LG Cinema 3D DX2000 20-inch computer display being the latest addition to the glasses-free 3D line of devices. The newest LG Cinema 3D display utilizes similar webcam-based eye-tracking technology as the latest glasses-free 3D gaming laptop, the Toshiba Qosmio F750, which is aimed at dealing with the common 'sweet spot' 3D technology issue."

HP TouchPad 4G to launch on AT&T

HP TouchPad 4G to launch on AT&T: "HP has announced that the first connected version of its webOS tablet is to launch exclusively on AT&T's Mobile Broadband Network. Aimed at a mobile workforce and consumers who want multitasking on the move, the new HP TouchPad 4G will be treated to a processor boost, integrated GPS and come with 32GB of internal storage."

Wind turbine placement to optimize wind power generation for a given area

Wind turbine placement to optimize wind power generation for a given area: "Although wind power energy production in 2010 was estimated to be only about 2.5 percent of worldwide electricity usage, wind turbines are considered a mature technology with many experts suggesting that we're approaching the theoretical limit of individual wind turbine efficiency."

New sensor digitally captures complex guitar-playing movements

New sensor digitally captures complex guitar-playing movements: "For most of us, digitally capturing our six-string virtuosity involves plugging an axe into a guitar interface like Apogee's JAM and then launching some software on a laptop or mobile device."

AME-LOT student housing is made entirely out of recycled pallets

AME-LOT student housing is made entirely out of recycled pallets: "AME-LOT is a recent material reuse building plan from French architectural firm Malka, in which student housing is primarily made up of a variety of reused pallets which are added to an existing structure. The technique not only creates a striking architectural display, but also ensures that no existing building is destroyed, thus minimizing its carbon footprint."

Caterpillar 5230B Excavator wooden model priced at US$35,900

Caterpillar 5230B Excavator wooden model priced at US$35,900: "If you think that heavy construction machinery like a Caterpillar 5230B Excavator is an unlikely source of inspiration for a piece of art, then you obviously don't work for Michigan art studio Woodchuck and Co. The team there has built a highly detailed wooden model, or rather, a semi-working replica of the large machine, in 1/16th scale. The collector's piece is up for sale at US$35,900."

Volvo testing concepts to extend range of electric vehicles by up to 1,000 km

Volvo testing concepts to extend range of electric vehicles by up to 1,000 km: "While there have been huge strides made in battery technology in recent times, the limited range of electric vehicles remains one of the main barriers to their general adoption. While maybe not an ideal solution, Volvo is producing a few electric test vehicles with range extenders - combustion engines that increase the effective range of the electric vehicle by effectively turning it into a hybrid. The project, which is supported by he Swedish Energy Agency and the EU, will test three different electric motor/combustion engine combinations."

Zoom H2n Handy Recorder boasts five microphones and Mid-Side recording

Zoom H2n Handy Recorder boasts five microphones and Mid-Side recording: "Since its launch in 2007, the Zoom H2 Handy recorder with its ability to record high quality digital audio has become popular for everything from recording personal memos and band demos to sticking in the faces of politicians. Zoom has now given its portable 'studio on a stick' an update in the form of the H2n Handy Recorder that ups the number of microphones to five and, according to Zoom, is the first handheld recorder to offer Mid-Side recording."